Sailing around in the open sea is a unique treat that few of us are fortunate enough to experience. However, once you know the joys of sailing it’s hard to keep off. So to help you in your newest endeavour of sailing we have put together all the terms and phrases that every sailor must have in his dictionary.

• Jibe

You can change the direction of your boat with the help of a jibe by bringing the stern of the boat through the wind. This manoeuvre is also called as ‘wearing ship’ in the square-rigged ships.

• Rudder

Credit: Creative Commons/Kim Hansen

A rudder is a flat plank made up of wood, metal or fibre which is placed below the boat. The rudder is used to steer the ship in the waters.

• Bow, Starboard and port

A bow is the front of the ship, to its right is the starboard and to its left is the port. These three are some of the most important terms in the sailing world.

• Windward and leeward

Windward is the point of the boat from where the wind is blowing, while leeward is the direction opposite to which the wind is blowing. Both these terms are important to know as the boat moves to the direction of the wind.

• Mainsail

The mainsail is the most significant and also the largest sail of the boat. It is huge and triangular in shape and lies close to the boat’s mast. It also has a bulky pole called the ‘boom’.